#PA2032, Published by Atari Corp.
In this episode I cover an excellent (and extremely fun) action/flight simulator for the Atari Lynx, Warbirds, released in April of 1991 by Atari Corporation. I’ve got vital statistics about the game, along with credits, gameplay, reviews and ratings, some fun facts and trivia, and some listener feedback about the game.
WARBIRDS VITAL STATISTICS
Release Date: April of 1991 by Atari Corporation. Warbirds was originally scheduled for release in December of 1990.
Initial Retail Price: In the US: $34.95; in the UK: £29.99.
Cartridge Information: 1-megabyte stereo curved lip-style cartridge. Game developer and distributor Telegames also released Warbirds on a PCB in 2008.
Game Genre: First-person action/flight simulator for one player, or for two-to-four players using the ComLynx cable.
Working Title: Red Baron.
Screen Playfield Orientation: Landscape (horizontal).
Ports to Other Systems: Warbirds is an Atari Lynx exclusive that was not ported to any other system.
Game Levels: There are six levels, or Missions, in Warbirds: Milk Run, Double Teamed, Red Baron, Paths of Glory, Pair of Aces, and The Swarm. Players can also control Ammunition levels, Damage levels, Collision levels, the number of Lives, and the Start Mode.
Number of Players: 1-4 (with ComLynx support).
Packaging:  Full-color standard-tab regular-size carton (5 3/8″ by 4 3/8″ by 7/8″). A French version was also sold.
Instructions Manual: A 20-page (including front and back covers) stapled regular-sized booklet manual in full color in English, measuring the usual 4 7/8” high by 3 ¾” wide; in France Warbirds was released in the bi-lingual carton with a sheet of instructions in French.
WARBIRDS CREDITS
Design and Programming: Rob Zdybel (Part One and Part Two of the ANTIC podcast interview by Randy Kindig)
Art and Animation: Susan G. McBride, Melody Rondeau
Sound and Music: Robert Vieira
Thanks: The Atari Crowd, The Friday Knights
Special Thanks: John Skruch, Dave Needle
Dedication: For my father
Be sure to check out our partner AtariGamer.com to stay “Lynxed In” to all of the latest news about our favorite handheld gaming console!
LYNX LYNKS
Kieren Hawken’s 2019 book “The A-Z of Atari Lynx Games Volume 1”.
The people in the UK behind the new cartridge-based retro handheld console Evercade have released two Atari Lynx compilation carts for their new system. The first cart, called Atari Lynx Collection 1, comprises 17 Atari Lynx titles, including 12 classic titles (Awesome Golf,

#PA2031, Published by Atari Corp.
In this episode (better late than never) I cover one of the best games ever made for the Atari Lynx, KLAX, released in October of 1990. It’s also the second of three original release titles for the Lynx that is played vertically, not horizontally (Gauntlet: The Third Encounter and NFL Football are the other two). In this episode I’ve got vital statistics about KLAX, along with credits, gameplay, reviews and ratings, some fun facts and trivia, and some listener feedback about the game.
KLAX VITAL STATISTICS
Release Date: October of 1990 (originally scheduled for June/July 1990).
Initial Retail Price: In the US: $34.95-$39.99; In the UK: £27.99-£35.00.
Cartridge Information: 256k stereo curved lip-style cartridge.
Game Genre: Falling block puzzle game for one player.
Screen Playfield Orientation: portrait (vertical).
Based On: Coin-op arcade game KLAX, developed by Dave Akers and Mark Stephen Pierce and released by Atari Games Corporation in February of 1990.
Ports to Other Systems: Amstrad CPC (1990), Atari VCS (2600) (1990; PAL-version only; NTSC-version never finished), Atari 5200 (2003), Atari 7800 (2002), Atari ST (1990), BBC Micro (1990), Commodore Amiga (1990), Commodore 64 (1990), DOS (1990), MSX (1990), Nintendo Entertainment System (1990), Nintendo Game Boy (1990), Nintendo Game Boy Color (1999), PC-88 (1990), PC-98 (1990), SAM Coupé (1990), Sega Game Gear (1991), Sega Genesis (1990), Sega Master System (1991), Sharp X68000 (1990), TurboGrafx-16 (1990), and ZX Spectrum (1990). KLAX was also released together with Marble Madness for the Nintendo Game Boy Advance (2005).
Sequels: There were no sequels to this game.
Game Levels: There are 100 levels, or “waves,” in KLAX. There are five different wave objectives for each wave: “KLAX wave,” “Diagonal wave,” “Horizontal wave,” “Points wave,” and “Tile wave.”
Number of Players: 1 (no ComLynx support).
Packaging:  Full-color standard-tab regular-size carton (5 3/8″ by 4 3/8″ by 7/8″). Also sold were a French version, two different Japanese versions, and a blister pack.
Incstruction Manual: A 12-page (including front and back covers) stapled regular-sized booklet manual in monochrome in English, measuring the usual 4 7/8” high by 3 ¾” wide.
KLAX CREDITS
Developer: Tengen, Inc. (Atari Games Corporation)
Programming:  Greg Omi
Art and Animation: Susan G. McBride, Greg Omi, Gary Johnson, K.E. Rudis
Music and Sound: LX (Alex) Rudis
Original Game Developers: Mark Stephen Pierce, David Akers
Be sure to check out our partner AtariGamer.com to stay “Lynxed In” to all of the latest news about our favorite handheld gaming console!

#PA2030, Published by Atari Corp.
In this episode I cover the very last game originally developed at Epyx, Inc., Zarlor Mercenary, released in October of 1990. Alphabetically, it’s also the very last original-release game for the Lynx. Plus, as far as I know, it’s the only Lynx game that has “Mendicants”…or “Medicants”…or “Merdicants.” I’ve included vital statistics, credits, gameplay, reviews and ratings, some fun facts and trivia, and some listener feedback about the game.
ZARLOR MERCENARY VITAL STATISTICS
Release Date: October of 1990.
Initial Retail Price: In the US: $34.99; in the UK: £29.99.
Cartridge Information: 128k (likely) stereo curved lip-style cartridge.
Game Genre: Top-down vertically scrolling shooter for one player, or two-to-four players using the ComLynx cable.
Screen Playfield Orientation: Landscape (horizontal).
Game Levels: There are six levels, or “Missions,” in both the single and multi-player versions of the game: Level 1-Cadmar Desert; Level 2-Mesort Swamp; Level 3-Docrit Sea; Level 4-Sedimor Domes; Level 5-Mardic Ice; and Level 6-Cedmite City.
Number of Players: 1-4 (with ComLynx support).
Packaging:  Full-color standard-tab regular-size carton (5 3/8″ by 4 3/8″ by 7/8″). There were also French and Japanese versions of the carton sold, as well as a blister pack.
Instruction Manual: A 20-page (including front and back covers) stapled regular-sized booklet manual in monochrome in English, measuring the usual 4 7/8” high by 3 ¾” wide.
ZARLOR MERCENARY CREDITS
Developer: Epyx, Inc.
Programming: Chuck Sommerville  (audio and video of Chuck’s joint interview with LX Rudis in 2018 on The Atari Lynx Handycast).
Graphics: Matthew Crysdale.
Levels, Music, SFX: Christopher Grigg.
Additional Programming: Stephen Landrum.
LYNXED IN
Ninjabba’s At It Again!
Jasper van Turnhout, also known as Ninjabba on Atari Age, and who released his critically acclaimed home brew game Wyvern Tales back in May of 2018, has now released a new teaser demo that he has developed for what could potentially become another home brew title for the Lynx. The demo is called Nomad Rally 2018, and anyone interested in viewing the demo in emulation or in downloading it to a multicart can find it here.
Luchs Soft Taking Pre-Orders for Space Battle and QuadroMania!
Luchs Soft in Germany is now taking pre-orders for two after-market titles, both to be available on April 1, 2019. Space Battle is a Harry Dodgson prototype (from 2000). It will be available as a single cartridge or two cartridges (for 2-player gaming); both versions will come complete with curved lip-style cartridge(s) inside a full-color carton, along with a manual, poster, and collectible lapel pin. The game can be played by up to eight players using the ComLynx cable.
The other game, QuadroMania,

#PA2029, Published by Atari Corp.
In this episode, the longest (and the latest) episode of The HandyCast so far,  I cover one of the last games originally developed at Epyx, Inc., Todd’s Adventures in Slime World, released in October of 1990. I’ve included vital statistics, credits, gameplay, reviews and ratings, some fun facts and trivia, and some listener feedback about the game. And with the ComLynx cable it’s an eight-player game, so grab seven more of your friends for a gooey, messy Slime-O-Rama!
TODD’S ADVENTURES IN SLIME WORLD VITAL STATISTICS
Release Date: October of 1990 (originally scheduled for July of 1990).
Initial Retail Price: $34.95.
Cartridge: 128kb stereo curved lip-style cartridge.
Game Genre: Multi-level platformer for one player, or two-to-eight players using the ComLynx cable.
Working Title: Slime World.
Screen Playfield Orientation: Landscape (horizontal).
Ports to Other Systems: The Sega Genesis (1992) and The TurboGrafx 16/PC Engine (1992).
Game Levels: Twelve single-player or multi-player levels, or “adventures:” #1: Easy, #2: Exploration, #3: Action, #4: Suspense, #5: Logic, and, for #6, either Arcade for single-player games, or Combat for multi-player games.
Number of Players: 1-8 (with ComLynx support).
Packaging:  Full-color standard-tab regular-size carton (5 3/8″ by 4 3/8″ by 7/8″). There were also French and Japanese versions of the carton sold, as well as a blister pack.
Instruction Manual: A 24-page (including front and back covers) stapled regular-sized booklet manual in monochrome in English, measuring the usual 4 7/8” high by 3 ¾” wide.
TODD’S ADVENTURES IN SLIME WORLD CREDITS
Developer: Epyx, Inc.
Game and Code: Peter Engelbrite.
Art: Matthew Crysdale, Phillip Vaughan, and Peter Engelbrite.
Sound Design: Christopher Grigg.
Music: Eric Van Rhee.
Testing: Secret Underground Labs.
LYNXED IN
“Consolizing” the Lynx (Project 1)
There are not one but TWO projects that “consolize” the Atari Lynx. The first one comes from StarForcePilot on the Atari Age Lynx forums, also known as Marcel J. de Haan on Facebook. He installed the McWill screen and the VGA output jack into his Lynx I, then he decided not to stop there. So he created a handy (see what I did there) stand for the Lynx I, and he also installed a DB9 connector on the Lynx to allow an external controller to be used to play games on the static console. More recently, he also replaced the battery compartment with a generic rechargeable lithium-ion battery along with a generic variable step-down converter. It’s really a clever design, and StarForcePilot documented his progress in completing the project beautifully with a pictorial essay on his blogpage. I highly recommend that my listeners check out the blog here.
“Consolizing” the Lynx (Project 2)
The second Lynx consolization (yes, Monty, that IS a word) is a joint project from YouTube channel Retro Revolutions, Historic Nerd, Extreme Consoles, and Neon Vision,

#PA2028, Published by Atari Corp.
Here I cover one of the best-known games of all time, Chip’s Challenge, released in September of 1989; it is one of the five launch titles for the original Atari Lynx. In this episode I’ve included a complete survey of the credits, gameplay, music, and sound effects for Chip’s Challenge. Plus, as usual, I have reviews, listener feedback, current prices, some trivia, and some fun facts about the game. So grab a bag of chips and munch down while you listen; this game is a real puzzler!
CHIP’S CHALLENGE VITAL STATISTICS
Release Date: September of 1989
Initial Retail Price: $34.95
Cartridge Information: 128kb stereo cartridge available in all three styles (flat, ridged, and curved lip)
Game Genre: Puzzle/maze game for one player.
Screen Playfield Orientation: Landscape (horizontal).
Ports to Other Systems: The Amstrad CPC (1990), Atari ST (1990), The Commodore Amiga (1990), The Commodore 64 (1990), DOS (1990), The ZX Spectrum (1990), Windows 3.x (1991) and Windows (2015).
Sequels: Chip’s Challenge 2 for Windows (2015), Chuck’s Challenge 3D for Linux (2014), Macintosh (2014), Windows (2014), Android (2016), iPad (2016), and iPhone (2016)
Game Levels: 144, plus 4 undocumented special levels.
Number of Players: 1 (no ComLynx support).
Packaging:  Full-color standard-tab regular-size carton (5 3/8″ by 4 3/8″ by 7/8″). There were two styles: one with the gray vertical band of Lynx font faux embossed broken x’s along the right side of the carton, and one without the band.
Instruction Manual: A 24-page (including front and back covers) stapled regular-sized booklet manual in monochrome in English, measuring the usual 4 7/8” high by 3 ¾” wide.
CHIP’S CHALLENGE  CREDITS
Developer: Epyx, Inc.
Original Design: Chuck Sommerville.
Art: Paul Vernon.
Sound and Music: Alex (LX) Rudis.
Level Design: Bill Darrah, James Donald, Peter Engelbrite, Victoria Hanson, R.G. Gowdy, Stephen Jungels, Scott Nelson, Chuck Sommerville, Pete Wierzbicki.
Testing: Dung Dang, Bob Friesen, John McGowan, Tom Schumacher,

THE ENTIRE INTERVIEW IS NOW AVAILABLE ON YOUTUBE:

Recorded August 9, 2018
Many, many thanks go to Chuck Sommerville and Alex (LX) Rudis, who both graciously agreed to be interviewed for The HandyCast. The willingness of two such Atari Lynx legends to help flesh out some of their personal and professional experiences with the Lynx console and its games (especially Chip’s Challenge) is a testament to their strong devotion to their craft, to their fans, and to the Atari Lynx community. Cheers to you, Chuck and LX!
As usual, I would also like to thank the Free Music Archive for “8-Bit Core” by Tagirijus used in this episode under the Creative Commons License as the opening and closing theme music for The HandyCast.
I really hope you enjoy this special interview episode of The Atari Lynx HandyCast. Also, keep an eye (and ear) out for future interview-only episodes coming down the pike in the near future.
-Mark

#PA2026, Published by Atari Corp.
In this episode , I cover one of the most popular games for the Atari Lynx, Xenophobe, released by Atari in August of 1990. Included is a complete rundown of the gameplay, music, and sound effects for Xenophobe. I also highlight a few reviews of the game, some information about the prices that collectors can expect to pay for a Xenophobe cartridge on eBay and other retailers, some trivia and fun facts about the game, and some very welcome feedback about the game from some of my loyal listeners. So charge up your fists and phazers and lets kick some Xeno butt!
XENOPHOBE VITAL STATISTICS
Release Date: August of 1990.
Initial Retail Price: $34.95.
Cartridge Information: Stereo curved lip-style cartridge. I think it is 128k, but I cannot find confirmation of that.
Game Genre: Side-scrolling/platform multi-level action shooter for 1 to 4 players using the ComLynx cable.
Screen Playfield Orientation: Landscape (horizontal).
Based On: Xenophobe arcade cabinet (1987) by Bally Midway.
Ports to Other Systems: The Commodore Amiga, the Amstrad CPC, the Atari VCS (2600), the Atari 7800, the Atari ST, the Commodore 64, the Nintendo Entertainment System, and the ZX Spectrum.
Game Levels: 23 single or multi-floor space stations.
Number of Players: 1-4 (with ComLynx support).
Packaging:  Full-color standard-tab regular-size carton (5 3/8″ by 4 3/8″ by 7/8″)
Instruction Manual: A 24-page (including front and back covers) stapled regular-sized booklet manual in monochrome in English, measuring the usual 4 7/8” high by 3 ¾” wide.
XENOPHOBE  CREDITS
Developer: Epyx, Inc.
Licensee: Midway Manufacturing Co.
Programming: Gil Colgate.
Art: Phillip Vaughan.
Sound: Christopher Grigg.
Testing: Thomas MacDevitt, Tom Schumacher.
LYNXED IN
Collection Tracker Now Available!
Igor at Atari Gamer has done a fantastic job at creating and implementing a new tool for us collectors: The Collection Tracker will record, track and complete your Atari Lynx collection. All of the game database entries are available for tracking your carts, boxes, manuals, and posters, or whether you have a given game new in the box (NIB). You can also track the health/condition of the boxes, manuals, and posters.

#LX101 (L402), Published by Telegames, Inc.
In this episode, I cover the first of nine third-party games in this podcast, The Fidelity Ultimate Chess Challenge, released by publisher Telegames, Inc. in 1991. Included is a complete rundown of the gameplay, music (what little there is), and sound effects for The Fidelity Ultimate Chess Challenge. I also highlight a few reviews of the game, some information about the prices that collectors can expect to pay for a The Fidelity Ultimate Chess Challenge cartridge on eBay and other retailers, some trivia and fun facts about the game, and some very welcome feedback about the game from some of my loyal listeners.
THE FIDELITY ULTIMATE CHESS CHALLENGE VITAL STATISTICS
Release Date: By March of 1991.
Initial Retail Price: $39.99.
Cartridge Information: The Fidelity Ultimate Chess Challenge is a stereo curved lip-style cartridge. I think the ROM size is 128k, but I cannot confirm it.
Game Genre: Isometric or top-down strategy/tactics game for one or two players; the ComLynx cable is not used in this game.
Based On: The classic board game of Chess, utilizing the experience of Fidelity Electronics, makers of various stand-alone chess computers of the day.
Screen Playfield Orientation: Landscape (horizontal).
Ports to Other Systems: The Fidelity Ultimate Chess Challenge is an Atari Lynx exclusive that was not ported to any other system.
Game Levels: There are 17 levels of play: Levels 1 through 8 are time-based in which the response time can be set from 5 seconds at Level 1 to 4 minutes at Level 8; Levels 9 through 16 restrict the use of lookahead abilities; and Level 17 is an infinite level.
Number of Players: 1-2 (no ComLynx support).
Packaging:  Full-color standard-tab regular-size carton (5 3/8″ by 4 3/8″ by 7/8″).
Instruction Manual: A 40-page (including front and back covers) stapled regular-sized booklet manual in monochrome in English, measuring the usual 4 7/8” high by 3 ¾” wide.
THE FIDELITY ULTIMATE CHESS CHALLENGE  CREDITS
Developer/Licensee: Telegames, Inc.
No other individuals credited or known
LYNXED IN
The Atari Lynx HandyCast is Now Part of The Throwback Network
Thanks to the hosts of The Throwback Review Podcast, (Sean Johnson, also of The Average Runner Podcast, and Rob “Flack” O’Hara, also of the You Don’t Know Flack Podcast), The Atari Lynx HandyCast has been added to The Throwback Network. Many retro-themed podcasts are included on the network (both gaming- and non-gaming-related). I myself subscribe and listen to most of them, and I would highly recommend that you check out all of the great podcasts listed there. You can find the network here.
New Podcast: Into the Vertical Blank
There is a new Atari podcast in town; it’s called Into the Vertical Blank, and it is hosted by twin brothers, Steve Fulton and Jeff “8BitRocket” Fulton, who grew up “Atari,” or as they call it, in The Vertical Blank. The Vertical Blank is space between the lines; it’s the where work occurs that you never see on screen. In their podcast they discuss Atari computers and systems, new and old, review new games that they collect, talk about all the systems, and the significance they had in their lives and in the lives of others, and they even talk about them in a historical context, and how they are being used now. They do all this in an effort to finally understand the answer to this existential question: what does it mean to have grown up Atari in the generation of the Vertical Blank? I’ve been listening to this podcast lately, and it’s a lot of fun to hear two brothe...